On August 16, 2006, the City Council adopted the zoning text amendment that makes the Zoning Resolution’s Inclusionary Housing provisions applicable to the new R7X districts along Queens Boulevard in CD2 (see CPC report N 060504 ZRQ ). The zoning change is now in effect.

Update June 29, 2006:

On June 29, 2006, the City Council adopted the Maspeth/Woodside zoning map changes as proposed (see CPC report C 060294 ZMQ). The zoning changes are now in effect.

The Department of City Planning is proposing zoning changes for approximately 130 blocks in Maspeth and Woodside in western Queens, Community Districts 2 and 5. Most of the rezoning area lies generally east of the New Calvary and Mt. Zion cemeteries and is bounded by Roosevelt and Woodside avenues on the north, the LIRR rail cut and 74th Street on the east and the Queens-Midtown Expressway on the south. Queens Boulevard bisects the rezoning area from 50th to 74th streets.

The primary purpose of the proposed zoning map amendments is to preserve and reinforce the established neighborhood fabric and prevent out-of-character development. Additionally, the proposed rezoning addresses the need for new housing opportunities primarily along Queens Boulevard.

The Maspeth/Woodside Rezoning has two main components:

1) Establishing lower density and contextual zoning districts to recognize and protect the existing built character

The proposal would rezone significant portions of Maspeth and Woodside from R4, R5, R5B, R6, and R6B to lower-density or contextual zoning districts (R4-1, R4B, R5, and R5B).

Certain blocks along Queens Boulevard and at the Queens Boulevard/Roosevelt Avenue Junction would be rezoned from R4/C2-2, R5/C2-2, C8-1, and M1-1 to R6/C2-3 and R7X/C2 to allow for mixed residential and commercial development at densities appropriate for these major thoroughfares.

Existing R7X district on Queens Boulevard to be extended along entire corridor

Public Review
On May 24, 2006, the City Planning Commission approved the Maspeth/Woodside rezoning proposal. (Read the CPC report). On June 29, 2006 the City Council adopted the zoning changes which are now in effect.

Providing affordable housing has been the subject of extensive discussion during the public review process for the proposed rezoning. Consequently on May 22, 2006, the Department referred to Community Board 2 and the Queens Borough President an application (N 060504 ZRQ) for a zoning text amendment that would make applicable the Zoning Resolution’s Inclusionary Housing provisions to the new R7X districts proposed for Queens Boulevard in CD2 as part of the Maspeth/Woodside Rezoning. The City Planning Commission (CPC) held a public hearing on the proposed text amendment on June 21, 2006. On July 12, 2006 the CPC approved the proposed text amendment. (Read the CPC Report). On August 16, 2006 the City Council adopted the text changes which are now in effect.

For more information on the Maspeth/Woodside Rezoning and the Inclusionary Housing text amendment, please make contact with the Queens Office of the Department of City Planning at 718-286-3170.